When you are suffering from a mental health issue such as depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder, you may feel desperate for some kind of miracle cure. Some psychiatrists in Singapore and elsewhere use medication too early in the treatment process; but at Adelphi Psych Medicine Clinic, we believe in finding the best way to treat your mental health. We don’t start with medication, because many mental health problems can be resolved with other therapies.

Discover the differences between the treatments that psychologist and psychiatrists offer, and find out what treatment options you may have with Adelphi Psych Medicine Clinic.

Training for Psychiatrists

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor for the mind. Psychiatrists in Singapore go through extensive training, including multiple years in medical school and post-graduate clinical residency. In total, they are usually in training for about 11-13 years before they can even begin to practice psychiatry on their own. A psychiatrist in Singapore must have a Master’s Degree in Medicine (Psychiatry) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Medicine or a Bachelor’s Degree in Surgery (M.B.B.S.). Psychiatrist are regulated under the Singapore Ministry of Health.

Training for Psychologists

In contrast, a psychologist in Singapore is not regulated by the Ministry of Health, and the amount of schooling and training necessary for practice is much lower. Psychologists typically have a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, along with a post-graduate Master’s Degree in a relevant field. Some go as far as a Doctorate in Psychology.

Treatment Methods of a Psychiatrist

A psychiatrist’s main focus is neurochemistry, the function of the brain as an organ of the body. Your psychiatrist can identify areas in which mental problems are being caused by some sort of chemical imbalance in the brain. Sometimes the brain or glands, like any organ of the body, can make errors or start functioning improperly. This kind of malfunction triggers symptoms and may result in conditions such as severe depression, manic episodes of anger, bipolar disorder, psychopathic tendencies, and similar issues.

A psychiatrist has the authority to prescribe medication, and he may do that if your symptoms are placing you or someone else in danger. Your psychiatrist at Adelphi Psych Medicine Clinic may refer you to a psychologist for therapy, to see if the issues can be resolved by that treatment method before resorting to medication.

Treatments and Therapies Used by a Psychologist

A psychologist is primarily focused on the science of human behaviour and the underlying motives for that behaviour. If you visit a psychologist or psychotherapist at Adelphi Psych Medicine Clinic, he or she will probably delve into the experiences, traumas, beliefs, or emotions that are the root of your expressed mental issues. Through therapy and counselling, the psychologist will help you unpack those root causes and learn techniques for coping with emotions and behaviours that stem from them.

The Right Mix of Therapy and Medication

It can be hard for psychiatrists and psychologist to identify the best course of treatment immediately. Sometimes it takes time and multiple efforts to find a treatment route that works for a particular patient. However, our team of psychiatrists, psychologists, and counsellors at Adelphi have years of experience and a history of great success when it comes to prescribing effective therapies and treatment plans.

Each of our counsellors, psychotherapists, and psychiatrists has a specialty and believes in looking at mental health in Singapore from a holistic perspective. Whether your treatment plan involves EMDR, art therapy, medication, or a blend of multiple treatment options, you’ll be glad that you came to Adelphi Psych Medicine Clinic for help.